Rail travel writing worth reading

I was quick to anger a few weeks ago when I came upon a shoddy piece of work done by a Frommer’s Travel writer, whose descriptions of “five scenic adventures” on Amtrak revealed a lack of preparation (see “Been There, Done That, This Is Crap,” August 22). So I feel a lot better recommending to you a well researched online article that benefits from good input and solid reporting.

I don’t think Ms. DuLong personally experienced each of these trips. But her reporting is thorough enough to make you believe she did. I am especially impressed by her recommendation of a Metro North Railroad adventure to Poughkeepsie, N.Y. I never would have thought of his myself, and it makes me want to experience the views from the train, the River Front Restaurant and the Poughkeepsie bridge that towers above this Hudson River town.

The other adventures she recommends are all ones I would endorse: The Empire Builder from Chicago to Seattle, and the Canadian from Vancouver, B.C., to Toronto.

So three thumbs up and three hurrahs for good railroad travel journalism. — Fred W. Frailey